About Us

WHO WE ARE

The Mallarmé Chamber Players are a flexible ensemble of professional musicians based in Durham, North Carolina, whose mission is to enrich the lives of the community through outstanding chamber music performance.

The ensemble distinguishes itself in the community by its innovative educational programs, its commitment to creative collaboration with other organizations, its creation of significant new work, and its dedication to serve a diverse population.

HOW WE BEGAN

Created in 1984 by musicians Jane Hawkins and Anna Ludwig Wilson, working with poet and arts administrator Margaret DeMott, the ensemble’s name comes from Stéphane Mallarmé, the 19th-century French poet and philosopher who believed that true art is created through a unity of music, dance, literature and the visual arts. In keeping with their namesake, Mallarmé performances are often interdisciplinary and have been praised by critics and audiences as innovative, eclectic and of the highest artistic quality.

WHERE WE’RE GOING

With some of the most gifted artists from North Carolina, Mallarmé Chamber Players perform programs that include rarely heard works from the traditional chamber music repertoire that celebrate the diversity in our community by featuring the music of African American, Asian, Latino and women composers.

Mallarmé has commissioned over 35 new works by American composers. They have created new contours in the landscape of chamber music through partnerships with artists of many different disciplines. Through their eclectic education programs they have developed a new model for community-based arts organizations.

Concerts are typically held at venues across Durham and the surrounding areas. With their commitment to collaboration and to the inclusion of young and BPIOC and LGBTQ musicians, the Mallarmé Chamber Players hopes to continue to grow while reflecting the spirit of our community and of chamber music.

“Mallarmé Chamber Players is not just a collection of musicians performing an eclectic mix of music; they are a philosophy of music and life, an organization that teaches, mentors and is inclusive of all cultures within our community, and a place for like-minded professionals from all over the country to come and share their musical gifts.”

– Jeffrey Rossman

OUR LEADERSHIP

For Mallarmé’s 25th anniversary season in 2008-09, Suzanne Rousso, violist and former orchestra administrator, took the helm as the new artistic director of the ensemble.

2021-22 Board of Directors and Staff

  • Ruth Cox, co-chair
  • Michael Fisher, co-chair
  • Juan Álamo
  • Tom Butts
  • Nancy Clapp-Channing
  • Andrea Edith Moore
  • Jim Schaeffer
  • Tony Sprinkle

Suzanne Rousso, Artistic Director

Mickaella Guarascio, Operations Manager